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USF Volleyball Falls in Five at Gonzaga in WCC Play
Nov. 14, 2009
(Spokane, WA) - USF volleyball wasted a 2-1 advantage and a 13-8 lead in the fifth set to drop a 27-25, 19-25, 22-25, 25-21, 18-16 West Coast Conference decision to Gonzaga Saturday afternoon at the Martin Centre. The Dons (12-13, 6-6 WCC) could not hold off the Bulldogs (10-16, 5-7 WCC) and drop a five-set decision in Spokane for the second consecutive year.
Junior outside hitter Sarah Mandala had another big day for the Dons with a match-high 27 kills. It is the 10th time this season Mandala has tallied 20 or more in a match this season.
Freshman opposite Erin Kilroy enjoyed a career day with 13 kills on .458 hitting with two blocks and a pair of assists. Senior outside hitter Anna Berger chipped in 12 kills for the Dons, while freshman outside hitter Alycia Cox had eight kills and nine digs.
USF's setting tandem of junior setter Alaina Sully (30 assists, 10 digs) and freshman Leanna Ludes (31 assists, 10 digs) both turned in double-double performances. Senior libero Haley Carroll recorded a match-high 25 digs and added a service ace.
Gonzaga big block destroyed the Dons and the Zags held a whopping 25.5 - 11.0 blocks advantage in the contest. The Bulldogs hit at a .212 clip with 63 kills and 27 errors on 170 attempts, while USF managed a .184 pace with 71 kills, 36 attack errors on 190 swings. It was a tough day for Dons middles who managed a combined eight kills, 11 attack errors and 5.0 team blocks.
After Gonzaga opened with a 27-25 win in the opening frame, the Dons stormed back to take a 2-1 lead after storming to a 25-19 win in the second and a 25-22 decision after the intermission. The Bulldogs, playing on senior day, would not go away and hit a sizzling .483 in the fourth and did not commit an attack error, while the Dons hit .317 with seven errors.
San Francisco stormed out and seemingly seized control of the fifth set and built a formidable 13-8 lead. Unfazed, the Zags ripped off an improbable 10-3 run to secure their 10th win of the season.
USF looks to regroup next weekend in the final two matches of the 2009 season. The Dons welcome the Los Angeles West Coast Conference contingent, beginning Thursday, November 19 against Loyola Marymount. Match time against the Lions is set for 7:00 PM at War Memorial Gym. San Francisco then wraps up 2009 with a 1:00 PM contest against Pepperdine. The Dons will honor their seniors in a special pre-match ceremony.
